Signing

I spent one night at the North American Convention (Anderson Campmeeting) signing books. I'm not sure how to describe it. Awkward comes to mind. So does exciting and gratifying. Most of those who purchased the book (and wanted it signed) were friends of mine. That was the gratifying part. The exciting part was talking to people who had read the book or who were reading the book. Awkward was the part where you didn't want to be "hawking" your wares in the "Temple" (I was glad it was the entrance to the gymnasium - made me feel better). One of those who read the book was one of my mentors, Dr. James Earl Massey. He read it in one night (I shouldn't be surprised). He had nice things to say about the material. That was amazingly gratifying. I was most proud of the dedication page. I had many folks to thank. Here is what I wrote:

This book is dedicated to those who have helped me to preach the story:
To my parents, Frank and Florence, who told me my first stories and who, at their funerals, I had the privilege of telling their final stories;
To my in-laws, John, the finest pastor I have ever known and to Bertha who, even years after her passing, remains my biggest fan;
To my mentor, Rev. Forrest Plants, who taught me to trust the storyteller that was in me and encouraged me to preach the story;
To giants of the pulpit - men like Dr. James Earl Massey, Dr. Samuel Hines, and President Robert Reardon who spoke to my heart and soul as a young minister and invested in me the joyous and awesome charge to preach the Word;
To Rev. Horace Shepherd, Sr. who preached the story one night and offered to shake the hand of the first young person who would go to the altar and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. That night he prayed over a 17-year-old boy at an altar and started my journey in Christ and more than four decades later I still, “Feel constrained to say that I love this narrow way, singing glory, hallelujah, I’m one of them today”;
But mostly, this book is dedicated to an incredible partner and friend, my wife Joanie, who has loved me through good times and bad, through ups and downs, and through the fire and the rain and who has blessed me with three incredible children (Doug, Jonathan, and Joel and their wives Susan, Maria, and Shafali) who have given my life joy, meaning, and a wealth of stories that it will take a lifetime to share.

Thanks to all who purchase the book and to all who will read it. It is exciting and gratifying.